Rufflet is an avian Pokémon that resembles an eaglet. His head has a thick covering of fuzzy white down and a grayish-blue face. A single red and white plume, which resembles an honor feather, extends from his forehead. Rufflet's body and wings are the same shade of blue as his face, and both seem rather miniature compared to the size of his head. He has large yellow feet tipped with black talons, and his beak is also yellow. Rufflet's tail is squared-off at the tip and his coloration matches his downy head.
Gender differences
Rufflet is a male-only species. Vullaby is regarded as their female counterpart, but is a separate species and cannot produce Rufflet Eggs.
Special abilities
Rufflet are very powerful for their size, possessing great physical strength and a highly competitive nature. They use their talons to crush Berries, and they are capable of using many aerial and wind-based attacks, as would be expected from a Flying type. They become even stronger by battling over and over.
Behavior
Rufflet will indiscriminately challenge foes to battle, even strong ones.
Habitat
Rufflet live in rugged, mountainous habitat and around gorges. They are also found in areas by water.
Rufflet, the Eaglet Pokémon. Rufflet's talons are powerful. Able to crack open even the toughest Berries. It often challenges stronger opponents to battle.
In the manga
Rufflet in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
As a child, Black caught Brav, his first caught Pokémon, when Brav was a Rufflet. Bianca agitated the Eaglet Pokémon by accidentally stepping on his food, and he attacked her. Black battles him with the help of Musha, who was then a wild Munna, until Black managed to catch him.
Rufflet's design is likely based on the Ruff, whose males (Rufflet are male-only) are known for their head tufts (similar to Rufflet's).
Rufflet's design also seems based on an eaglet. The single plume on his head resembles an honor feather, such as those worn by the Plains Indians. Like Braviary, Rufflet is based on Native American warriors.
Rufflet also seems to have some basis on parrots as well. In the anime one is shown using his talons to crack open a nut, and then bring the nut to his bill using his foot. Parrots are the only bird species that can use their feet to bring food to their mouth.
According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, Rufflet and Braviary were added early into the development of Black and White.
Name origin
Rufflet is a combination of either Ruff,ruffle,rough, or ruff and eaglet (a young eagle).
Washibon may be a combination of 鷲 washi (eagle) and ibon (Filipino for bird) or haribon (Philippine Eagle).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ワシボン Washibon
From 鷲 washi and ibon; possibly in reference to the haribon